Definition of Litreatures - Research Paper Example

Running Head: Literature Literature [Institute’s Literature Introduction Any good research is an asset to the world of sciences. Since the very beginning, science and its progress heavily depends upon the processes of empirical researches. Other methods were of importance too, like introspection, but what it lacks is quality of authentic data and unbiased opinions. On the other hand, empirical research provides ample authentic data with least biases and the huge sample population keeps the validity and reliability intact. However, this also comes with a price. Since the research is entirely based on questionnaires or vignettes scenarios which are a modified form of introspection itself except the fact that it’s quantifiable and less reliant on biases. Therefore, what is required is a strong background research on literature and a systematic approach towards research. How will that help make it more empirical? First, as literature includes past researches and theories on the same topic, it is easier to filter out irrelevant details and detect a platform to analyze the given data. It also provides a head start for the research in a way that it shows things already has been done in the field so that the new research is not redundant. In addition, it shows what could not be achieved in the field so that the new research is not too ambitious and it shows how to go about a research in the field so that the new research does not end up at a dead-end. Thus, a systematic approach towards the research and an extensive literature review is a key to an authentic and successful research. This paper will dive into the depth of these processes and explore how they benefit the researcher and the project. Systematic Search The first step in a good scientific research is a systematic searching. By systematic searching, it is meant that a particular scheme is followed while searching. To start with a systematic research, the first step is to formulate a clear question which includes all critical aspects of the topic like what, why, who, how, where, when, which, where etc. This is important because once the question is formulated, one is aware of what one is looking for and the research is less prone to divert into irrelevant directions. Once one knows what one is looking for, the next step is splitting the question into independent parts what this means is to separate the relation aspect from the individuality of the topics and study them independently in their own context and then in relation to each other. The third step is to find a suitable database to take material from. By specifying the discipline to the system, one can access to a large amount of information on any given topic. Next step is to find the search items. Many features of the item like synonyms, plural forms, and different spellings should be attended to in this section. Once, the search takes place, it is important to pay attention to results. If the results are not many, it is better to search with different terms. If there are a lot of them, it is advisable to use more narrowed terms (Laake, 14, 2007) Systematic Review Once the systematic research is being carried out, the next important step is to review the information systematically. A systematic review comprises of several steps: first, it identifies all relevant evidences for the topic. It gathers a pool of information through systematic searching which was explained above. Next, it selects studies, which are to be included and discards the rest. This narrows down the information and brings out the most important points to be included. Third, it identifies the relevant evidence in the reports, which are selected to be included. Since only particular proofs are required from these extensive studies, this step is of crucial importance. Often, the relevant researches have just one or two important points substantiated with adequate results. It is very important to scan those out and leave the rest as they are of little importance for the research project. At the same time, it is important to assess the quality of each study and analyze if they are connected to what the research proposes. In addition, keeping one’s biases away from the findings is also difficult but an integral part of systematic review. Finally, the systematic review ends with interpreting the findings and presenting in an unbiased balanced manner. By balanced, it means that one is aware of the flaws or contradictions that the evidence produces and of the ways in which it contradicts the hypothesis itself. Systematic reviews used to look into clinical effectiveness of the hypothesis but recently there has been a huge development in the sector and now it addresses the question of appropriateness, meaningfulness, and feasibility. More, the excessive quantity of material available on internet also raises the question of care and efficiency with which this literature has been produced. Therefore, to avoid falling into the traps of misleading and carelessly compiled research, it is important to go over the bibliographies and be very sure of the authenticity of the report before reviewing it (Chalmers, 36, 2010) Literature Review After searching and reviewing systematically, what one attains is an authorized review of literature, which critically acclaims and garnishes the research. The literature review is a text, which covers the critical aspects of current information on a certain topic that is to be researched on, by taking into account substantive data as well as theory, and method based contributions. It comprises what is widely known as secondary research. This provides a platform for the primary research that the project is aimed to carry out and together, these two produce a reliable piece of information, which is again used as a secondary research in future projects. This is simply how the world of research works. Often, the literature review forms a small portion of the thesis, which also contains the proposal, hypothesis, methodology, and results. As explained in the beginning, this critical part of any thesis updates the reader with current progress in the field and forms the background for the next goal, which the thesis in discussion aims to achieve (Machi, 121, 2008). A good literature review is characterized by four main attributes: first, it entails a logical flow of information, with one idea logically connected to the next. Second, it is in coherence with the relevant findings and properly cited sources. Third, the jargon is elaborated in detail so that anyone who is or is not related to the world of science is able to understand the complex theories and fourth, it is unbiased and provides a comprehensive overview. Hence, importance of a critical literature review for any thesis or research project cannot be overstated. References Chalmers, Thomas C. 2010. Systematic Review: Meta-Analysis, Publication Bias, Systematic Review, Secondary Data. General Books LLC. Laake, Peter. 2007. Research methodology in the medical and biological sciences. Academic Press. Machi, Lawrence A. 2008. The literature review: six steps to success. Corwin Press. Read More